Larynx mask having an esophageal passage

ABSTRACT

A larynx mask comprises a cover plate having a peripheral cuff adjoining thereon and is provided with a tube insertion connector at the distal end, while the tip has a special design at the proximal end. The cover plate ends in the region of the tip on the cuff, or even before that, and the esophageal passage runs as an open channel over a constricted region of the cuff. Said channel preferably comprises a widening and is delimited on both sides by reinforcement means, which are preferably formed by reinforcing walls or additionally as reinforcing ribs. Said design of the lead-through of the esophageal passage results in a considerable reinforcement of the proximal tip of the larynx mask and therefore counteracts possible kinking of the tip.

The present invention relates to a larynx mask, suitable for insertion through the middle of the pharynx via the epiglottis, comprising a cover plate with a tube insertion connector, a respiration lumen opening and an oesophageal passage as well as an inflatable cuff peripherally surrounding the cover plate on the ventral side.

Larynx masks are supplied with supraglottic tubes which are inserted into the pharynx of a patient to keep the airways open and to ventilate the patient. By means of the supraglottic tube a larynx mask is inserted through the middle of the pharynx via the epiglottis into the lower pharynx and positioned behind or around the larynx. Such larynx masks are used to ventilate a patient while he/she is anaesthetised. They also allow the introduction of tubes, probes, optical instruments and other instruments into the airways. More and more frequently such larynx masks have oesophageal access. This allows the introduction of probes into the oesophagus and the stomach in order to remove gastric juices and other fluids as well as air from the stomach. In anaesthetised patients emptying of the stomach is intended to prevent the stomach contents flowing back into the upper respiratory tract and being aspirated into the unprotected airways (windpipe, bronchi and lungs). A further advantage of an oesophageal access is the removal of passively or actively regurgitated stomach contents from the upper oesophagus to outside, which thereby represents limited, and thus inadequate, aspiration protection. However, these larynx masks do not allow the removal of fluids from the pharynx.

A large number of different larynx masks are known on the market. A typical example is set out in U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,745. This shows a gastro-laryngeal mask in which the supraglottic tube is a pipe through which several tubes can be fed. These tubes have lumens which are used for ventilation and for an oesophageal access.

Inserting a larynx mask is not always easy. Larynx marks with a relatively rigid supraglottic tube can be introduced more easily, whereby their rigidity prevents adaptation of the position of the larynx mask to the anatomical conditions. Insertion into the pharyngeal cavity by means of a relatively rigid supraglottic tube can result in injury, and positioning in the pharyngeal cavity is not always reliable.

Highly flexible larynx masks with corresponding highly flexible supraglottic tubes allow better positioning in the larynx but are more difficult and therefore occasionally more traumatic to insert and more difficult to position in the pharynx. Accordingly, it often happens that when inserting such highly flexible larynx masks the proximal end of the larynx mask, known as the tip, is bent over. This means that reliable sealing of the larynx mask is no longer present. To remedy this problem a more rigid material can be resorted to, whereby, however, the advantages of the highly flexible materials are lost. The result is traumatic effects in the central pharyngeal cavity. Even with a slightly increased air pressure in the cuff this problem cannot always reliably be solved. In the larynx masks known today, the oesophageal passage always passes through the cuff. This complicates the entire manufacturing of the larynx mask. If kinking or even just slightly greater bending of the tip of the larynx mask occurs the oesophageal passage is mostly then no longer free and an instrument or a tube can no longer be passed through.

A number of larynx masks with an oesophageal passage are known. The oesophageal passage end in an oesophageal outlet on the extreme proximal end of the larynx mask. The oesophageal passage now has to pass through the circumferential sealing area of the larynx mask. If a larynx mask is a version without an inflatable cuff, as set out in documents EP 1 875 937 or GB 2 404 863, this is relatively unproblematic as the larynx mask is overall designed much more rigidly and in practice kinking of the tip does not constitute a relevant problem.

Considerably more complex is the situation in the case of larynx masks with an inflatable cuff. One the one hand due to the thin wall of the cuff the tip of the larynx mask is very flexible and therefore susceptible to kinking, and on the other hand passing the oesophageal passage through the cuff is very problematical. This problem of passing through the cuff is solved by WO 2006/125 986 with a complex four-part larynx mask and a separate tube as the oesophageal passage which can subsequently be pushed through the cover plate and the tracheal tube.

A similar design in disclosed in US 2004/0020491. Additionally here the passed through separate tube of the oesophageal passage is sealed with a separate cuff.

Although the solution with a separate tube as the oesophageal passage reinforces the larynx mask overall, so that the risk of kinking of the tip is reduced, it makes the entire design larger and less manageable. This also applies to the solution in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,745.

Finally a larynx mask is known from US 2003/0037790 with an inflatable cuff whereby where the closed oesophageal passage is passed enclosed over the cuff and the outlet lies at the proximal end of the tip on the other side of the inflatable cuff. The closed course, with multiple bends, makes the use of oesophageal passage for instrumentation practically impossible.

It is therefore the aim of the present invention to improve a larynx mask in such a way that when using a highly flexible material said problems no longer occur, or their occurrence is greatly reduced, and also allow regurgitated food and liquids to pass into the dorsal pharynx. In addition improved use of the oesophageal passage for instrumentation should be made possible.

This aim is achieved by a larynx mask in accordance with the introductory section of claim 1 which is characterised in that the oesophageal passage emerges at the proximal end of the cover plate on the dorsal side and is passed over the cuff as an open channel, whereby reinforcing means acting on both sides of this channel and in the axial direction of the channel are present which counteract possible kinking of the proximal tip of the larynx mask.

Other advantages forms of embodiment are set out in the dependent claims and their relevance and action mechanism are explained in the following description with reference to the attached drawings.

The drawings show two preferred variants of the subject matter of the invention, whereby in FIGS. 1 to 7 show a first form of embodiment and FIGS. 8 to 10 a second form of embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective overall view of the larynx mask in accordance with the invention with a connected supraglottic tube with a connecting connection

FIG. 2 shows a ventral distal view of the larynx mask and

FIG. 3 again shows a perspective view, but seen from the dorsal proximal side

FIG. 4 shows a diametric longitudinal section through the larynx mask in which

FIG. 5 is a vertical section through the larynx mask in the area close to the tube insertion connection looking towards the proximal end and

FIG. 6 shows an approximately central cross-section looking towards the distal end, while

FIG. 7 again shows a vertical section close to the proximal end of the cover plate looking towards the proximal end.

FIG. 8 shows a second form of embodiment of the larynx mask with a view towards the dorsal side, while

FIG. 9 shows a vertical section through the larynx mask in the area of its top. Finally

FIG. 10 again shows a perspective view of the second form of embodiment of the larynx mask.

In FIG. 1 the larynx mask 1 with a connected supraglottic tube 2 can be seen, whereas at the other end a connecting connection 3 is attached. To connect the larynx mask 1 with the supraglottic tube 2 the larynx mask has a tube insertion connection 11 at the distal end. This tune insertion connection 11 is connected in one piece to the directly adjoining cover plate 12, on which again in one piece an inflatable collar, known as the cuff 13 is formed and completely surrounds the cover plate 12 on its ventral periphery. The supraglottic 2 tube can contain two tubes or as here can preferably be provided with two separate lumens. One lumen is used as a respiration lumen, while the other lumen is designed as an instrumental or oesophageal lumen. In between a third lumen may be present by means of which the bends of the supraglottic tube can be changed by means of appropriate tension and pressure means arranged therein. However, in FIG. 1 the supraglottic tube is shown in straight initial position. The adjustability or change in the bend of the supraglottic tube 2 can be effected though turning an adjusting ring 31. Projecting from the connecting connector 3 is an oesophageal inlet connector 32 and an respiration inlet connector 33. With regard to the features of larynx mask 1, reference is made to the following figures.

In FIG. 2 the larynx mask 1 is shown perspectively in a view from ventral-distal. Here the tube insertion connection 11 can be recognised and the inside can be partially seen so that a partial view into the oesophageal passage 18 is evident. In all the figures the larynx mask 1 is shown as it comes out of an appropriate plastic injection mould. Here, the inner edge of the cuff 13 is not yet connected to an internal circumferential adhesive wall 16. Although an adhesive wall 16 is mentioned here, the connection of the edge of the cuff 13 to the adhesive wall 16 can not only take place through adhesion but also through welding. More particularly, ultrasonic welding could be considered here. Through the elasticity of the material the shape of the cuff 13 is practically the same as if it were already filled with air. For supplying the filling air into the cuff 13 there is a formed-on ventilation connection 15 under the tube insertion connection 11 opening directly into the cuff 13, as can most clearly be seen in the vertical section in FIG. 4.

Within the cover plate 12, in the area close to the tube insertion connector 11 the respiration lumen 17 is initially still completely closed in cross-section as is the lumen of the oesophageal passage 18. Accordingly the respiration lumen is designated 17′. The vertical section in accordance with FIG. 5 is shown looking towards the tip 4 and/or the proximal end of the larynx mask. Accordingly, when looking into the oesophageal passage 18 the oesophageal outlet 14 can be seen.

Running from distal to proximal the respiration lumen 17′ continuously opens and thus forms the respiration lumen opening 17 and communicates with the sealed respiration chamber 19 lying underneath it and delimited by the cuff 13. In FIG. 6 the vertical section is shown looking towards the distal end, so that here free passage of respiration lumen 17′ to its outlet in the tube insertion connection 11 can be seen, while the respiration lumen opening 17 can also be seen. FIG. 7 again shows a vertical section, relatively close to the proximal end and/or close to the tip 4 of the larynx mask 1, again looking towards the proximal end. Again clearly visible are the adhesive wall 16 and the corresponding adhesive edge 16′ on the cuff 13, which is here not yet connected to the adhesive wall 16.

The oesophageal passage 18 running laterally ventrally next to the respiration lumen opening 17 helps on the one hand to reinforce the larynx mask in the axial direction in order to prevent or reduce kinking in the middle area of the mask, and on the other hand the oesophageal access 18 on the ventral side help to keep the epiglottis away from the respiration lumen opening 17.

Preferably the larynx masks also has a proximally closed sack-like lumen between the oesophageal passage 18 and respiration lumen 17′ and respiration lumen opening 17 which allows the use of a longitudinal reinforcing element.

The proximal end of the larynx mask 1 forms its tip 4. In the area of the tip 4 which form part of the cover plate 12 the oesophageal passage 18 running closed through the cover plate 12 opens into oesophageal outlet 14. The oesophageal passage 18 then passes over cuff 15 as a dorsally open channel 20. The cross-section this channel 20 is shown here as a half-cylinder. Correspondingly the cuff 13 is reduced in cross-section in the area of the tip 4 as the cover plate 12 runs deeper here in the ventral direction. The reduced cross-section area of the cuff 13 is designated 13′. In principle the cross-section of the cuff can be reduced to zero in this area so that the cuff is interrupted in the area of the tip. However, the shown solution is preferred due to the better seal to the epiglottis. In principle the delimiting walls to the cuff 13 can run directly adjacent on the semi-cylindrical open channel 20. The delimiting walls are in principle designed reinforcing means 21 for the cover plate 12. Irrespective of whether these walls are or are not reinforced or thickened in cross-section, they only work as a reinforcement through their direction perpendicular to the possible direction of kinking This also applies if these walls are arranged directly adjacent to the open channel 20.

Preferably, however, these reinforcing walls 21′ are applied as reinforcing means 21 opposite the open channel 20 with its channel base 24 laterally offset. This lateral offsetting forms a channel widening 22 in the form of intermediate bases. Although it would also be possible to reinforce these intermediate bases with appropriate material thickening this has little effect in the sense of preventing kinking of the tip 4.

Through the offsetting of the reinforcing walls 21′, laterally in the transition area of the cover plate 12 to the cuff 13, at the distal end of this widened area an escape 23 is practically formed on both sides. If in the event of regurgitation of the stomach contents these cannot be taken up by the oesophageal passage alone within a sufficient period of time, at the dorsal escape points 23 these stomach contents can also escape to dorsal of the cuff into the pharynx, without the risk of the material entering the respiration area ventrally through the cuff. In addition, pharyngeal fluid can accumulate in the area of the open channel 20 which can be removed through the oesophageal passage directly or by way of suction with a tube.

In a further preferred embodiment the reinforcing walls 21′ can extend along the dorsal inner side of the cuff to distal only in the cuff tip area, so that the escape of stomach contents to dorsal is even more efficient and not only the cuff tip but also the distal cuff are protected against kinking.

In another preferred embodiment the oesophageal outlet 13 can be even further to distal, so that the open channel 22, 24 is not only limited to passing over the cuff tip. This allows even more efficient escaping of regurgitated stomach contents to dorsal in the pharynx and easier removal by suction of collected pharyngeal secretion. This widened suction opened is designated 25 and is added as a broken line in FIG. 1.

The widened channel also has the advantage that an instrument or a probe or an optical device being passed through the oesophageal passage can take on the require curvature early on in order to be introduced as required into the oesophagus. If an oesophageal passage is passed through the cuff, as is the case the best known solutions in the prior art, the outlet point in the ventral direction is move further to ventral and, accordingly, in certain circumstances the required handling ability may be made more difficult.

With the reduced cuff tip with an open channel, a wedge-shaping of the larynx mask in the upper oesophageal inlet is deliberately dispensed with. In addition to the above advantages this also has the benefit that the naso-oesophageal or naso-gastric access allows appropriate instrumentation or the insertion of temporary or permanent tubes.

As an additional possibility of reinforcing the tip 4 of the larynx mask 1 another solution is shown in FIGS. 8 to 10. As the oesophageal passes does not run exactly centrically in the longitudinal direction, its extension, namely the open channel 20, also does not run centrically but slightly from lateral to towards the centre. The channel widening 22 can also be seen in the solution shown here. In addition, here, on the channel widening 22, which here is also in the form of a thickened wall section, reinforcing ribs 21″ running parallel to the wall 21′ are additional applied on the channel widening 22 between the first reinforcing means of the reinforcing walls 21′. This achieves optimum, reinforcement against the kinking effect. Nevertheless it is still ensured that stomach contents can escape.

The larynx mask in accordance with the invention therefore on the one hand provides greater security for the anaesthetist against possible kinking of the tip 4 of the larynx mask as a result of which he can work more quickly and reliably, and at the same time provides improved access to the oesophagus thanks to the oesophageal outlet 14 which is in the distal direction earlier, thereby achieving greater mobility of the instruments, tubes or optical system being passed through the oesophageal passage.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1. Larynx mask -   2. Supraglottic tube -   3. Connecting connector -   4. Tip of a larynx mask -   11. Tube insertion connector -   12. Cover plate -   13. Cuff -   13′. Cuff in the area of the tip -   14. Oesophageal outlet -   15. Ventilation connection of the cuff -   16. Adhesive wall -   16′. Adhesive edge -   17. Respiration lumen opening -   17′. Respiration lumen -   18. Oesophageal passage -   19. Sealed respiration chamber -   20. Open channel -   21. Reinforcing means -   21′. Reinforcing walls -   21″ Reinforcing ribs -   22. Channel enlargement -   23. Escape points -   24. Base of the channel -   25. Widened suction opening -   31. Adjusting ring -   32. Oesophageal inlet connector -   33. Respiration inlet connector 

1. A larynx mask suitable for insertion through the middle of the pharynx via the epiglottis, comprising a cover plate with a tube insertion connector, a respiration lumen opening, and an oesophageal passage and an inflatable cuff peripherally surrounding the cover plate on the ventral side, whereby the cover plate extends proximally over the cuff, wherein the oesophageal passage emerges from the cover plate before the proximal end of the cover plate on the dorsal side and is passed over the cuff as an open channel in the cover plate, whereby on both sides of this channel and acting approximately in the axial direction thereof there are reinforcing means which counteract possible kinking of the proximal tip of the larynx mask.
 2. The larynx mask in accordance with claim 1, wherein in the area of the proximal tip of the larynx mask the cuff (13) is reduced with regard to the clear width by the depth of the channel.
 3. The larynx mask in accordance with claim 1 wherein in the area of the proximal tip of the larynx mask the cuff is interrupted.
 4. The larynx mask in accordance with claim 2 wherein the base of the channel is formed by the ventral area of the oesophageal passage.
 5. The larynx mask in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cuff laterally of the channel is delimited by reinforcing walls running ventro-dorsally whereby the tip of the larynx mask is reinforced against kinking.
 6. The larynx mask in accordance with claim 5 wherein the reinforcing walls are thicker than the adjoining areas of the cuff.
 7. The larynx mask in accordance with claim 5 wherein reinforcing walls are arranged parallel to the channel offset by a distance.
 8. The larynx mask in accordance with claim 7 wherein between the channel and the reinforcing walls on each side of the channel there is opposite the base of the channel a projection as channel widening.
 9. The larynx mask in accordance with claim 8 wherein formed on the offset projections is at least one further reinforcing rib.
 10. The larynx mask in accordance with claim 1 wherein the depth of the channel is at least approximately one to two thirds of the diameter of the oesophageal passage.
 11. The larynx mask in accordance with claim 7 wherein at the transition of the cuff to the cover plate on the distal end of the channel widening escape points are formed.
 12. The larynx mask in accordance with claim 1 wherein the reinforcing walls are continued along the dorsal inner side of the cuff on both sides of the cuff tip area.
 13. The larynx mask in accordance with claim 1 wherein the oesophageal passage is also partially open in the cover plate area and thus forms a widened suction opening. 